Adults’ motives and barriers of participation in mixed and asynchronous learning training programs

Abstract

This paper explores the motives, barriers and the facilitators of adults’ participation in two training programs, organized by the Center of Training and Lifelong Learning (KE.DI.VI.M.) of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. 215 trainees completed the questionnaire in the first program, entitled ‘Training of Lifelong Learning Adult Trainers’, while 70 students having attended the second program ‘Vocational Education and Training: Specialization of Adult Executives, Teachers and Trainers’ completed the questionnaire. It was found that the professional and personal development are the main reasons for participating in training. Regarding the barriers, the situational and institutional ones are the most important factors for non-participation in the training. Regarding the facilitators to participation in training, distance learning, recognition of certifications acquired from participation to training programs, salary’s improvement and dissemination of seminars taking place are the main facilitators for participating in lifelong learning programs.